Biopic? It’s better to talk about the two-hour MV

Armani 2022-03-21 09:01:08

2018.10.23 night at Wembley Stadium, the return of the premiere of Bohemian Rhapsody~

The premiere scene at Wembley Arena

Queen guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor also came to the scene as music consultants for the film

Queen guitarist Dr. Brian May thanked fans all over the world, with drummer Roger Taylor beside him

Let’s talk about the movie itself. As a traditional biographical film, I think this film has some obvious flaws. Here I use a more critical eye to judge, comparable movies such as Johnny Cash's "Walk the line", Mozart's biopic " Amadeus ", Oliver Stone's "The Doors" biopic "The Doors" and Sex Pistols. Biopic " Sid and Nancy " etc.

From the perspective of actors, the protagonist in the Queen's Quadruple group deserves to be Freddie Mercury played by Rami. As an Egyptian-American actor, Rami has an exotic face and deep charming eyes. It's a pity that with a deep beautiful voice, it is indeed difficult for him to make him imitate the voice of Uncle Bucktooth in the whole film. The actor Gwilym Lee who played Brian May in the film did indeed perform Shen Yun. Not only did he look alike, but every expression in his gestures was very similar to Brian in the video data of the year. The drummer Roger Taylor and bass John Deacon in the film took on most of the laughs in the film, and didn't dig much into the characters themselves.

The starring role and the finale of Rami Malek, who played the lead actor Freddie Mercury

It is worth mentioning that, except for the live singing voice in the film, which is Freddie's live soundtrack, the other scenes of singing or practicing singing in the studio were all recorded by a Canadian named Marc Martel. Friends who are familiar with the recent status of Queen know that this Canadian guy is a cover of Somebody to Love on YouTube and became popular all the way, and was selected by Queen drummer Roger Taylor to form Queen Extravaganza. As a Queen fan myself for ten years, I sometimes don't know whether it is Marc or Freddie when I close my eyes.

Left picture Canadian Marc Martel

Quoting the band to reach the peak, then fall from the peak, and finally return to unity, there is no unexpected novelty or deeper exploration. I also understand that Brian May and Roger Taylor, as the main creators, will lead the story in a positive direction, and try to omit the disgraceful or controversial history. As I see it, this is a question of the choice of works of art, and it is precisely the flaw of this film: the character is too perfect (simplified) and it gives up the possibility of further analyzing the complexity of human nature.

If you look carefully, a considerable part of the plot in the film does not match the drama and facts for the completeness of the film (such as the time sequence of song creation, Freddie Mercury learned the time point of HIV infection), which is also reasonable. In terms of characterization, Rami focused on showing Freddie's privately vulnerable and sensitive side. But I am personally disappointed that he failed to interpret the focused, narcissistic, and charming Freddie on the stage. In my opinion, the film actually does not have much room for him to perform, which is quite satisfactory. As a loyal fan who has watched almost all the Queen’s documentaries, in fact, I already have a certain subjective understanding of the four members of the Queen. A movie fan.

Now Brian May and Roger Taylor are touring the world with Sao Dangman from time to time. As these two old people get older, I think it will be difficult to have a chance to bring together queen fans from all over the world. Throughout the history of rock and roll, so many classic bands, classic music has been passed down from generation to generation. The carriers of these 20th-century Western cultural treasures mostly remain at the level of hearing. Not all bands are lucky enough to make history into such an exquisite tribute movie. From this perspective, I have to say that being a fan of Queen is very, very lucky.

View more about Bohemian Rhapsody reviews

Extended Reading
  • Albert 2021-10-20 18:59:50

    Rami Malek should be nominated for an Oscar, and the typhoon has been restored. In the end, Live Aid made such a great scene. I went to the tubing to watch the original video. The film was restored to its original flavor. The high-altitude aerial shot over the crowds of audiences, and then the camera was directly connected to the main stage piano to Freddie’s Close-up, this synthetic long shot is really cool! The eye-catching, the feeling of integrating the light of the universe; at the beginning, when he sang Life had just begun, he started to tears. Combining with the fact that he told the band members that he had AIDS before, and then read the lyrics of Bohemian Rhapsody, I feel that every sentence is heavy. Pound the tear gas, so I realized why this biopic should use the song name as the movie title; every minute of the performance on Live Aid is Freddie's life-burning performance, which is the great curtain call of his legendary life.

  • Archibald 2021-10-20 18:59:50

    As a biopic, it's actually quite ordinary, but the end of the live aid still incited tears to the eyes. Alas, this is the magic of music.

Bohemian Rhapsody quotes

  • Freddie Mercury: I've been hideous. I know that, and... I deserve your fury. I've been conceited... selfish. Well, an asshole, basically.

    Roger Taylor: Strong beginning.

    Freddie Mercury: Look, I'm happy to strip off my shirt and flagellate myself before you. Or rather, I could ask you a simple question.

    Roger Taylor: I'm good with the flagellation.

    Freddie Mercury: What's it gonna take for all of you to forgive me?

    Brian May: Is that what you want, Freddie? I forgive you. Is that it? Can we go now?

  • Ray Foster: Mark these words: if they're not careful, by the end of the year, no one will know the name Queen.

    [a rock is thrown through the window]

    Ray Foster: Christ!

    Freddie Mercury: [down on the street] You can take that out of our royalties! Twat!

    Ray Foster: Wanker!

    Brian May: You can shove your gold discs! You made a mistake, Foster!

    Freddie Mercury: Asshole!

    Ray Foster: You'll never have a gold disc, you medium talent!

    [to Paul]

    Ray Foster: And to think, I worked with Hendrix.